Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical Announces Successes at the annual Massachusetts ProStart Student Invitational

Colleagues,

We are pleased to share the results for the Culinary Arts students at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School of Rochester at the annual Massachusetts ProStart Student Invitational. The event was held at Gillette Stadium.

The Management team placed 1st in the competition with Leah Hollenbeck winning “Best Overall Presentation”. This is the 4th in a row the State Championship in Management was won by Old Colony. The team will now represent Massachusetts at the National competition in Baltimore, Maryland May 1st.

In the Cake Decorating Competition, Lilah’s Ramen bowl cake placed 1st and Abby’s Chef Jacket with confections placed 2nd in the contest.

Senior Derek Oliveria from the Graphic Communication program who won the t-shirt design contest, his design was featured on the event t-shirt worn by all participants.

Additional information is included below.

MAVA is most proud of these incredibly talented Chapter 74 Culinary Arts and Graphic Communications students.

David

2025 ProStart Competition Results

Gillette Stadium, February 11, 2025

Culinary cooking competition

Students from the Culinary Arts department traveled to Gillette Stadium on February 11th to compete at the 2025 Massachusetts ProStart Invitational.
Seniors Julia Raposo, Lakeville, Jordan Medeiros, Mattapoisett, Geneva Gerrior, Rochester and sophomore Kara Raposo, Lakeville competed in the Culinary cooking competition. As a team they created an upscale three course meal consisting of Korean influenced appetizer, entree and dessert in one hour. Their hard work and dedication to perfecting their dishes did not go unnoticed as well as numerous compliments from judges about their teamwork and professionalism throughout the competition.

Cake Decorating
Seniors Lilah Barros, Carver, and Abigail Dawicki, Lakeville competed alongside 19 other cake decorators. Both Lilah and Abby wowed judges and spectators with their sculptured cakes and fondant work they completed in under an hour. Lilah’s Ramen bowl cake placed 1st and Abby’s Chef Jacket with confections placed 2nd in the contest.

Management
The management team, senior Piper Brodo, Mattapoisett, juniors Leah Hollenbeck, Anthony Rampino and Elijah Morghato, all from Lakeville, and sophomore Maisie Macklacken-Post, Rochester competed in the restaurant business plan development competition. They impressed the industry professional judges with their presentation skills and extensive knowledge in the categories of restaurant concept, operations, menu development and Human Resources. The team placed 1st in the competition, Leah Hollenbeck won “Best Overall Presentation”. This is the 4th in a row State Championship in Management won by Old Colony. The team will now represent Massachusetts at the National competition in Baltimore, Maryland May 1st.

Members of the junior class attended the competition as spectators, they had opportunities to meet with industry representatives and compete in contests throughout the day. Junior Ryan Eby, Carver, placed third in the Mixology Mocktail contest.

We would also like to recognize senior Derek Oliveria from the Graphic Communication program who won the t-shirt design contest, his design was featured on the event t-shirt worn by all participants. Derek alongside seniors Logan Hoang and Liliana Serra also have been critical contributors to the graphic designs used by our management teams the past two years for all competitions.

FINAL RESULTS:

1st PLACE

Culinary: Nashoba Valley Technical High School

Management: Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School

2nd PLACE

Culinary: Cambridge Ringe and Latin School

Management: Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School

3rd PLACE

Culinary: Carver Middle Senior School

Management: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School

Cake Decorating:

1st PLACE: Lilah Barrows, Old Colony

Regional Vocational Technical High School

2nd PLACE: Abigail Dawicki, Old Colony

Regional Vocational Technical High

David J. Ferreira

MAVA Communications Coordinator

DavidFerreira

1st PLACE

Culinary: Nashoba Valley Technical High School

Management: Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School

2nd PLACE

Culinary: Cambridge Ringe and Latin School

Management: Blackstone Valley Regional

Vocational Technical High School

3rd PLACE

Culinary: Carver Middle School

Management: Whittier Regional Vocational

Technical High School

Cake Decorating:

1st PLACE: Lilah Barrows, Old Colony

Regional Vocational Technical High School

2nd PLACE: Abigail Dawicki, Old Colony

Regional Vocational Technical High